Message copyholder and gumming desk for printing telegraph machines



Nov. 10, 1931. R. F. BLANCHARD ET AL Filed Se t. 4. 1929 P 2a ,e

MESSAGE COPYHOLDEH AND GUMMING DESK FOR PRINTING TELEGRAPH MACHINES Sheets-Sheet `l l'mveutors" ttorncg Nov. 1'0, 1931. R.r F. BLANCHARD E'r AL 1,831,700 MESSAGE COPYHOLDER ND GUMMINGV DESK FOR PRINTING TELEGRAPH MACHINES Filed Sept. 4, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheetl 2 Patented Nov. 10, 1931 UNITED sTATEs PATENT oFElcE HOLLA. l'. BLANCHARD, OF WESTFIELD, NEW JERSEY, AND JAMES I'. PORTER AND* GEORGE MARX, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., .ASSIGNOBS TO THE WETERN UNION TELE- GRAIPH COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A OORPORATION OF NEW YORK IESSAGE COPYHOLDER .AND GUMMING DESK FOB PRINTING TELEGRAPH MACHINES Application led September 4, 1929.- Serial No, 890,326.

This invention relates toa combined copy 15 vide each operator with a gumming desk alongside of the combined transmitting and 'printing unit to provide facilities for apply; lng the gummed strip to the telegram b an as the strip emerges from the printing unit. 80 With this arrangement the operator alternatively shifts back and forth between the gumming desk and the transmitting unit with each change'in the direction of the, transmission. y It is one of the objects ofthe present invention to eliminate the need for a separate `gumming desk and to save oniioor space and conserve the energy of the operator by providing the printing unit with a suitable gumming desk which may be used by the operator without shifting from his regular.

transmitting position.

lAnother object is to provide a combined copy holder and working table which may be attached directly to and be supported by the transmitting and printing unit and which will not interfere with the proper functioning of the machine nor obstruct the view of the interior thereof.

In accordance with our` invention we provide an attachment for a transmitting and printing unit comprising 'a plate hinged to the machine so as to be disposed either at the top of the machine and having one side facing the operator to serve as a copy holder or to be disposed over the'keyboard and having the opposite side uppermost to serve as a workingl or gumming table. In the copy holding position, means is provided in engagement with the plateto hold the copy and act as a line guide, and, in the gumming position means is provided for supporting a pad or other material to be worked upon.

Reference will be had to the accompanying drawings for a detailed description of the invention in which drawings:

Figure 1 isa front rspectlve view of a printing and transmittm telegraph machine showing the 'attachment 1n the copy holdingl position;

Figure 2 is a sectional view through the attachment showing its relation to the transmitting and printing unit in both the copy holding and glimming position;

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 3 3 of Figure 1; ,f

Fi re 4 is a rspective view showing the attac l ent in t e gumming position;

Figure 5 is a lperspective view of a' ming desk showing the manner of app ying the tape to the telegram blank; and

Figure 6 is an elevational view of the gump ming thimble employed by the operator.

In the drawings, we have shown the in-l vention applied to a tape rinting telegra h machine to provide a co ined copy hol er and gumming desk, although it is to be' understood that it may also serve as an attachment for a typewriter or similar m'achine to provide a combined copy holder and working table.

. The telegraph printing machine comprises a metal casing 10 having a bank of transmitting key levers 11 at the front thereof and the printing and transmittin mechanism contained therein. A gla window 12 is provided in the front of the'casin to permit the printing mechanism to be o erved. The tape 13 is wound upon a reel 14 disposed at one side of the machine, and is fed through the machine emerging at the opposite side through an opening 15. The tape is gummed on the unprinted side so that 1t may be applied to a telegram blank.

During an interchange of business, the

operator alternatively transmits, by manipulating the key levers 11 and receives, the

received message being automatically print- Y ed upon the tape. As the printed tape emerges from thev machine, it is threadedof telegram through a moistening device 16, by the operator, and applied to the telegram blank. As previously stated, it has been necessary, heretofore, to perform the gumm-ing operation at a separate desk alongside of the transmitting and printing unit. Figure 5 shows a portion of such a desk having a telegram blank pad 17 secured thereto. The tape is moistened by the device 16 held in thehand of the operator and is pressed against the telegram blank by a thimble 18 worn by the operator, as is clearly illustrated in the igure. rIhe thimble haspa straight edge 19 across which the tape is torn at the end 4ot the line.

In accordance with the present invention We eliminate the necessity of using such separate gumming table by providing a .table mounted directly upon the printing machine. A rectangular plate 2O extends across the ront of the machine and has a` pair of angularly disposed extensions 21' and 22 hinged at 23 and 24 to the casing of the machine so thatthe plate'may rest against the upper portion of the casing as shown in Figures 1 and 2,' or may be swung downward over the key board as shown in Figure 4 and in d otted lines in Figure 2. In the upper position the plate serves as a copy holder and for this purpose it is provided with a copy holding bar and line guide 25 pivoted on 'a rod 26 extending between lugs 27, at one end of the plate. The line guide is held in a set position relative to the plate by a thumb clamp 28 engaging the opposite sides of the plate. In this position the plateis elevated above the key levers 11 so as not to hinder their use vby the operator, and.is also positioned above the glass window 12 so as notv to obstruct the view to the interior of the machine.

P-he copy holding side of the plate has a pair of supporting legs 29 extending therefrom which engage the frame 30 of the machine, as shown-in dotted lines in Figure 2,

when the plate is swung to the lower or gumming position. The legs 29 maintain the plate out of engagement with the key'levers so they will not be accidentally depressed.A

Suitable means is provided on the gumming side of the plate for holding a pad or sheaf .Y lanks, such means as shown compising a pair of horizontal channels 31 and s illustrated in Figure 4, when the plate is in the gumming position the window 12 is unobstructed so that the printingy opera/tion may be observed. 'M

After the transmission of the messages has ceased and reception commenced, the operator, without shifting his position, may swing the plate 20 to the; gumming position and apply the tape to the telegram blank as it emerges from the machine. The necessary accessories are suitably supported from the which confirming pieces of tape are aiiixed.

A receiving number sheet 37 is also secured tothe casing of the machine for holding a number sheeton -which the messages may be checked ott' as received. The receiving number sheet is used only during reception of messages and is covered by the plate 20 during the transmission of messages.

Obviously various other accessories may be added and changes made in the construction of the combined copy holder and working table without departing from the invention, and we do not desire to be limited, therefore, to the particular details shown and described except in accordance with the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

v 1. In a transmitting and tape printing telegraph machine having a -key board, a combined copy holder and gumming desk comprising a plate secured to the machine, means on one side of said plate for holding copy, means on the opposite side of said plate for holding paperblanks and means forperniitting said plate to be moved sothat either side may be uppermost, said plate in the gumming position being ,disposed above and closely adjacent to said key board and in a plane substantially parallel thereto.

2. In a transmitting and tape printing telegraph machine a combined copy holder and gumining desk comprising a plate, hinge means for the plate secured at each side of said machine so that either side of the plate may be disposed uppermost, one side serving as a copy holder and 'the opposite side as a gumming desk, said hinge means being oset from the plate, transversely of the machine,

y so that said plate may be positioned over the keys to serve as a gumming table or ad]acent to the top of the machine to serve asa cop'y holder.

4. In a transmitting and tape printing telegraph machine/having a bank. of keys, a combined copy holder and gumming desk comprising a plate hinged along one side to the front of themachine centrally thereof so that said plate may be positioned over the keys to serve as a gumming table or acent to the top of the machine to serve as a copy holder, the central ortion of the front of said machine being unollistructed in either position of said plate.

5. In a transmitting and tape printing p telegraph machine having a bank of'keys,

a combined copy holder and gum-ming desk comprising a plate hinged along one side to the front of the machine centrally thereoso that said plate may be positioned over the keys to serve as a gumming table or adjacent to the top of the machine to serve as a copy holder, said plate, when serving as a gumming table, extending a substantial distance beyond the front of said keys, in a plane approaching the horizontal.

6. A Working table for a key board operl ated machine having a bank of keys comprising a plate secured tosaid machine and extending across the front thereof over the key levers, means for supporting said plate closely adjacent and substantially parallel to said keys and means for permitting said plate to be moved away from said key-board so as to leave the keys unobstructed.

7. In a transmitting and printing telegraph machine a combinedv copy holder and work table comprising a plate hinged on one 4side of said machine so that either side of said plate may be disposed uppermost, one side serving as a copy holder and the opposite side as a working table, and an auxiliary work holder secured to the machine beneath said plate when it is in copy holding position and exposed when said plate is serving as a work holder. f

In testimony whereof, we aiiixour signatures.

ROLLA F. BLANCHARD. JAMES F. PORTER. GEORGE MARX. 

